Raw Dog Food Feeding Calculator

Feeding Considerations

by Dr. Richard Patton, PhD – Animal Nutrition

• No Activity / Senior Canines (~2% of Body Weight): The concern here is the amount fed to maintain ideal weight may not be enough to keep the dog feeling full, so begging may ensue. Displace this behavior with chew toys, walks and other activity. If the diet is fed at a level that supports ideal weight, most pets will adapt to it in time. The main time of begging tends to be right after feeding before the dog’s brain has had time to realize his/her stomach has been fed. Another technique to use in the case of begging is to feed the day’s allotted portion in more frequent meals. This, with behavior displacement, is often successful at reducing begging.

• Average Activity (~2.5% of Body Weight) Per feeding guide, adjusted to the amount that maintains ideal weight.

• High Activity / Sporting / Working Canines (~3% of Body Weight): As much as he/she will eat without gaining weight. Stool volume will go up.

• Pregnant / Lactating Female (~5-8% of Body Weight): Trained judgment call. Keep in mind that in as early as three weeks, the puppies may be consuming some of mom’s food.

• Puppy (large and small— ~5% of Body Weight): A canine is considered a puppy and will be growing up to 18 months of age. Checking weight often and adjusting feed to his/her growing weight is crucial. A pet owner may not always know how big a dog will be. Someone who bought a purebred has a better indication; however, knowing the mother’s size is not full proof either. If bone and stature appear to be increasing properly, a leaner body condition is much preferred to a butter ball physique.